After firing coach Todd Graham, Arizona State is in the market for someone to leads its football program. Over his four years in Tempe, this will be the biggest hire for Vice President of Athletics Ray Anderson.

Eight names to consider

Teryl Austin, defensive coordinator, Detroit Lions

Austin, 52, has coached defense his entire career, both in college and in the NFL. From 2007-09, he coached defensive backs for the Cardinals. Austin lives in the Valley and already has been linked to the ASU job in published reports. According to the Detroit Free-Press, he has interviewed for nine NFL head-coaching jobs over the past three years. Only issue: Because of his duties in Detroit, he might not be available for a while.

Herm Edwards, former NFL coach, ESPN analyst

Edwards, 63, is an outside-the-box candidate, but in some ways he makes sense. For one, he has a history with Anderson, who was his agent during his NFL head-coaching days. Also, he seems to fit the "CEO" coach Anderson described in Sunday's news conference. Someone who would be OK with retaining ASU's offensive and defensive coordinators. The drawbacks, of course, are obvious: Edwards hasn't coached since 2008 and he hasn't been in the college game since 1989.

Pep Hamilton, assistant head coach and passing game coordinator, Michigan.

For someone who just turned 43, Hamilton has a ton of experience. He was an offensive coordinator at Stanford, which just happens to be Anderson’s alma mater. Hamilton also has worked with the Jets, 49ers, Bears, Colts and Browns in the NFL. One drawback: No head-coaching experience.

If ASU wants to take a chance on a rising star, Lake is an intriguing option. A strong recruiter, Lake is in his fourth season with the Huskies. During his time in Seattle, he has helped mold one of the nation's strongest secondaries and defenses. Lake also has NFL experience, having coached defensive backs at Tampa Bay and Detroit.

A Phoenix native and Northern Arizona graduate, Mason, 43, has struggled in four seasons at Vandy, which is a tough job in a difficult conference. Mason's background at Stanford – where he was David Shaw’s defensive coordinator – and Vandy’s academic reputation could catch Anderson’s eye, but his record (18-31 with just six SEC wins) would be a tough sell.

Mike Norvell, head coach, Memphis.

It's taken the former ASU offensive coordinator just two seasons to become one of football's hottest young coaches. Norvell, 36, already has popped up as a potential candidate for several jobs, some of which haven't even open. A strong recruiter, Norvell probably would do well no matter where he goes. The obvious question: Norvell learned under Graham at Tulsa, Pittsburgh and ASU. Would he want to coach at the school that fired his mentor?

Charlie Strong, head coach, South Florida.

After three poor seasons at Texas, Strong has rebounded nicely in his first season at South Florida, guiding the Bulls into the Top 25. Before going 16-21 during his time with the Longhorns, Strong, 57, did well well at Louisville, leading the Cardinals to a 23-3 record over his final two seasons. South Florida is 9-2 this year.

Kevin Sumlin, head coach, Texas A&M.

After ASU fired Dennis Erickson in 2011, ASU and Sumlin had strong mutual interest, but Sumlin instead took the A&M job. He won 20 games his first two seasons in College Station but since has slipped, not winning more than eight his last four years. Sumlin, 53, reportedly will be fired this week.

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Arizona State head caoch Todd Graham leads his team onto the field against Arizona in the first half on Nov. 25, 2017 during the 91st Annual Territorial Cup in Tempe, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Arizona State head coach Todd Graham shake hands with Vice President for University Athletics and Athletics Director Ray Anderson after the Sun Devils won the 91st Territorial Cup game against the Arizona Wildcats at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Nov. 25, 2017. Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports

Arizona State head coach Todd Graham celebrates after the Sun Devils defeated the Arizona Wildcats in the 91st Territorial Cup game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Nov. 25, 2017. Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports

Arizona State head caoch Todd Graham leads his team onto the field against Arizona in the first half on Nov. 25, 2017 during the 91st Annual Territorial Cup in Tempe, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham walks back to the bench after checking on an injured player during an football game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on November 4, 2017. Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports

Arizona State head coach Todd Graham leads his team out of the 'TillmanTunnel' and past the Pat Tillmanstatue located on the north end of Sun Devil Stadium before the 2017 season opener against New Mexico State on Thursday, August 31, 2017 in Tempe. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

ASU head football coach Todd Graham slaps five with a fan that caught a punt during the annual ASU Spring football game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Friday, April 10, 2015. David Wallace/azcentral sports

Arizona State University football coach Todd Graham was the featured guest on the "Mesa Morning Live" talk show put on by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce on Friday, April 10, 2015. Parker Leavitt/azcentral sports

ASU football head coach Todd Graham greets fans and fellow runners during the 11th Annual Pat's Run Saturday, April 25, 2015 in Tempe, Arizona. 30,000 runners attended Pat's Run this year, breaking the record for the highest attendance during the run's history. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

ASU head coach Todd Graham and offensive coordinator Mike Norvell look for a landing spot for their helicopter during half time in the game against Mountain Pointe and Chandler on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, in Phoenix, Arizona. Jeffrey Lowman/Special for azcentral sports

Arizona State University's Head Coach Todd Graham, left, and Offensive Coordinator Mike Norvell look on during the second half of the matchup against Mountain Pointe and Chandler, Friday, September 19th, 2014, in Phoenix, Ariz. Graham and Norvell came to the game in the second half via a Arizona State Helicopter. Jeffrey Lowman / Special for The Jeffrey Lowman / Special for The

Jan. 6, 2008: Then-Tulsa Golden Hurricane head coach Todd Graham hands off the trophy as the team celebrates their 63-7 victory over the the Bowling Green Falcons in the GMAC Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. John David Mercer/US PRESSWIRE

Jan. 11, 2011: The new University of Pittsburgh head football coach Todd Graham speaks to the media during a press conference at the University of Pittsburgh Panthers South Side training facility. Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Dec. 14, 2011: ASU's new head football coach Todd Graham speaks as ASU Vice President of Athletics Lisa Love and ASU President Michael Crow listen at an introductory press conference for Graham at ASU in Tempe. David Wallace David Wallace/The Republic

March 13, 2012: Todd Graham, shown here at spring practice, has a very vocal and active presence on the practice field. He is often yelling at individuals to move faster on and off the field. Dave Seibert/The Arizona Republic

March 28, 2012: Todd Graham listens as Steve Patterson, the Chief Operating Officer of Sun Devil Athletics is introduced as the new ASU Vice President for University Athletics and Athletics Director, replacing Lisa Love, at a press conference at the Ed and Nadine Carson Student-Athlete Center at ASU in Tempe. David Wallace/The Republic

Dec. 30, 2013: Todd Graham signals his defense against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the 2nd quarter at the National University Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Calif. Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic

March 18, 2014: Head coach Todd Graham gives instructions to the defensive unit at the first day of ASU's spring football practice at Bill Kajikawa Football Practice Fields in Tempe. Charlie Leight/The Arizona Republic